Meantime, Stafford Middle School needs a new gym floor--also part of the project.

"The floor is starting to separate and laminate," Short said, described a vulcanized rubber floor that he says was "in vogue" when it was installed around the time of the 1980 Olympics. "The problem with that is it does require an asbestos removal," he said. There is no current asbestos danger.

Rusted pipes and old windows are also on the docket for replacement. Short says the district needs to make the repairs now, to avoid costing taxpayers more money in the future.

"This day and age, we can't spend money on things that aren't just practical common sense," he said. "But if we don't sped it, it'll cost us something greater later on."